Posts

Please click on the image below for full view for a Quilt Guild listing in Alberta. If you would like to add your listing or modify the information in the attached please send us at the info to customerservice@pastimesonline.ca

Please click on the image below for a full view of a listing of Alberta Quilt Shows if you would like to add a show or if your Guild has a show you would like posted please send me the information and I will be happy to add it. Email to valerie@pastimesonline.ca

So, here’s the final camera bag instead of the standard “black” vinyl one with the ugly sippers and straps. This one the camera strap is the only strap, I have to add buttons and a few embellishments but it’s good to go. I love the waffle muslin inside and the chocolate brown with white flowers on the outside…

And then I added the bows & buttons!!

The buttons have to be slightly offset as the camers is offset due to the flash (Nikon D60)

After me writing about these fabric covered tins (one done to date) I have finally taken some pics…I have 2 more to go using more of the same line of fabric. I still need to add a few embellishments not sure exactly what yet. I’ve used this first one for storing my scrappy 1.5″ squares from all of the Quilts Past 🙂

So for the last couple of months I’ve been working on another business venture since I sold Exhibit Studio and this one is one that will come from the heart – my passion. Pastimes Online Ltd. – I’m already incorporated and waiting on Business Number, Licenses etc. This will be “A Canadian Online Quilt ‘n Stuff Source” – I’m still working on this tag line – any suggestions would be great!

Here’s my new logo – the colours pastel pink, periwinkle blue and the greenish spool of thread with needle.

Since my new business is going to be an online business I wanted to use online sources for my logo design and web needs. I used a site called elance you can put in a request for many things like corporate id (letter head and business cards etc) logos, web design, programming, etc.

So I picked a company called OhSnap because I loved her designs the best part about going into business with OhSnap was I found out after we began the project that we have the same name and spelled the same – how fun is that!! I’m already in the process of posting another job online with her to help us with the background of our website. DHis getting back into programming for his wife and I’m very grateful! Here’s a preview of pastimesonline again this is just in testing phase…but I’m still so excited!!

I’m also working on a few quilty things (of course) the new block from my freebie 15 program – I think there is only one block left and so far I like some of the 12 or so that I have completed but in the end I’m sure it will turn out great.

Here’s my latest block – this is the second round the first one I cut all of the triangle corners too small (but I will use these for my label or something) so Traditional Pastimes gave me a new kit so I could get it right – I of course completed this the morning of the 15th with out a minute to spare.

I’m also working on that dresden fan project that I mentioned in my last blog entry. This quilt I love – I love the brown, pink and green paisley prints I used and I’m so happy with the quilting method I used to echo the shapes of the dresden fan. I also did free motion machine quilting around the border – still trying to figure out the green circle centers and what to do there. One of the ladies in my quilting group commented on this white waffle muslim (which I purchased on our holidays through Portland and Seattle last year) I bought so much of it as I think it was only $5 per meter – here it would have been at least $12 +. So I used the rest of this waffle muslim on the back and I think it worked well.

I had went back to take a few more of this quilt but Tig found a home for her morning nap – didn’t she just have one??

I think she started to get a little self conscience here as she opened her eyes to see what was staring at her…yes the D80!!

I have been doing a 6K run each morning for the last couple of months (since I sold ES) so I signed up to run a 12K race called Loop Around the Lake here in Chestermere, September 19th. This is the same date as our fall fair (September 18-19) – which the Lakeside Quilters also have their quilt show – should be a busy weekend for me.

I have a few new projects to show and a couple to get finished for the show so I’m working hard getting these done including labels *smile*.

I also wanted to share some pictures of my flowers in my yard with you as I think they are so beautiful:

Here’s a set of pillows and custom cases that my mom made for my Aunts 50th – the ribbon is to die for.

As for quilting, thought I would post a picture of Lakeside Ripples: this quilt started as a class using ugly flower fabric that was an exchange with my Lakeside Quilters Guild – then I ended up liking the appliqued circles technique so much that I made it into a lap sized quilt.

I also spent the majority of one whole day at a retreat with my other guild called Flying Needles and did all of the machine quilting on it – I love with way the quilting turned out.

Here’s just an overview shot of the quilt once it was finished

Of course Tig is always a part of every project

This is me doing the machine quilting on Lakeside Ripples while I was at retreat.

Here’s a good close-up of the quilting – I just followed the curves and it turned out awesome

Here’s the back repeated some of the flower fabric that was on the front for the back and I love it.

I know I promised showing the tins I’ve covered in cute fabric but still trying to get photos as well as the laptop bag but I’ll post them shortly. It’s been busy with me looking for a job, working on my new project as well as holidaying but I will continue to do these posts as it’s a good way for me to document things in my life.

here’s a picture of one block that has the embroidery stitching completed and the triangles around the perimeter (which I changed from the original pattern) I still have to complete the applique for the homes.

This 2nd image is the center of the alternating blocks with solids, 9 patches (52) and these cute little heart with swirl center blocks (13) almost finished just need to stitch the hearts in place.

One of the girls in this club said that one block took her approx 10+ hours to complete…some of them I believe that!:-)

The Freebie 15 project – for those of you who don’t know what this is it’s a Block of the Month (BOM) this is given out by the stores as long as you get your block completed each month the next month is free!! It’s a kind of mystery quilt project as you don’t know what it will look like until it’s done. see a few of the blocks from this challenge that I have completed thus far. This is through TraditionalPastimes.com

I did finally get to give my niece her quilt – the quilt for Grace and she was so happy as well as the rest of the family – overwhelming response which was awesome!!

These aren’t that great as they were taken with an iphone but my SIL Colleen will be sending me the better ones – thanks in advance Colleen!!

Here’s some pics of the quilt setup on her bed what a perfect match – Auntie’s just know 🙂

I’ve also spruced up our sheets and pillow cases for our holiday trailer – I just thought that they should be a little more fun and I’m pretty happy with how they turned out here’s the pics:

First pic is the bow on the top band of sheets with bow ties.

Second Pic is the ties to close the pillow cases after the pillow goes in them

Third one is showing the complete set.

I think that’s all for today…

Happy Sewing…Quilting…and Crafting

For the next entry I have designed a laptop bag for my mac as well as working on a design for my ipod so I can strap it to me when I’m jogging in the mornings…I’ve also started covering my old cookie tins with fabrics for my sewing room shelves and to store fabric stashes in.

I know it’s been forever since my last post (18 months to be exact) but I’m back to posting and will try to commit to once every 2 weeks. Also, I’ve recently sold my business and in the process of starting another one – online quilt store (stay tuned) pastimesonline.ca – for quilters, sewers, and for people who want to add to their stash and collectables.

During the last year or so I’ve worked on a barrage of quilts from a star/fan applique which was a combination of machine, and applique work – it whipped up so quickly I was surprised. I started it at a retreat with my Lakeside Guild in Chestermere and I finished the top just a few months later…it’s pinned and waiting for quilting which I will hopefully get to shortly. People in my guild were unsure about the colours I chose until I put it together and I’m so happy with it – pictures to come.

I also got into embroidery and chenille (thanks to my Mum!) I love both of these techniques. The first chenille quilt I worked on with a combination of embroidery turned out so cute. I still have to put a label on it but it’s pretty much finished. I laid out the embroidery blocks in different directions so you can see it from all angles. I do like the black and cream colours of this quilt – very traditional and antique looking. This quilt I designed called Monthly Embroidery.

The second chenille quilt I started was inspired by a friend of mine name Diane P she saw that I liked to do the embroidery so she gave me some embroidery patterns of cats – it’s hilarious. Once I saw these I knew they would be great for my niece (which she is getting next week for her birthday). I finished the embroidery blocks in a couple of months and decided to make & chenille the blocks (in a collection of pinks, blues, browns) at another retreat during Mother’s Day weekend and I pretty much had the whole top of the quilt completed at the retreat.

I also do the chenille technique the same way my mom does it – painstakingly *smile* but I prefer it this way as you can pick your colours, directions, sizes etc. I also used the rest of the fabric to do a scrappy back…then as a final touch I created Yo-Yo’s and spelled out her first name. Again, I still have to complete the label but it’s definitely close to being completed. I designed this layout and quilt with the help from Jeff’s (dh) Auntie Karen – who is the one I’m forever grateful to for getting me into quilting. This quilt I designed.

Thanks for reading my blog…there will be more to come. Please leave any feedback or comments, questions, etc when you have a chance.

I’ve been working up a storm at the office and in my quilt room, I’ve been trying to bring sales in and keep a balanced life – sounds hard – well it definitely keeps me going – I love to be busy almost all of the time.

I took a class a couple of weeks ago on circle quilting using the freezer paper method – very enjoyable now my lap sized quilt is going to be more like double by the time I’m finished. Maybe I will donate to charity or sell it at the craft sale.

I’m also working on a cotton theory quilt – I will post pictures when I have my camera handy but here’s some information about this style of quilting – which I love by the way.

The weather has been cold -20 or so but I love the snow and I love the winter when it’s cool and fresh out. I on the other hand do not like to drive when the roads are bad but so far no problems *smile*

I have also discovered a new quilting podcast called withinaquarterinch – Alison Rosen is the speaker – it’s her podcast – she’s a mother of two and is a full time accountant and really enjoys crafting and finds the time…

I always get Christmas aprons as gifts and enjoy wearing something festive during the holidays but it only lasts for a few weeks so I thought I would make myself something fun that will lastthroughout the year…